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Sixers-Celtics Game 1 preview: Philly must solve Boston's defense

Terry Rozier has emerged for the Celtics in Kyrie Irving's absence.

Celtics point guard Terry Rozier has filled in ably for the injured Kyrie Irving.
Celtics point guard Terry Rozier has filled in ably for the injured Kyrie Irving.Read moreCharles Krupa / AP
    by Keith Pompey | Columnist
    Published 

76ers at Boston Celtics

Tonight at 8, TD Garden

Talking points

Terry Rozier's play and the Boston Celtics' defense are among the things the 76ers must overcome in this playoff series.

Rozier has been Boston's starting point guard since Kyrie Irving had season-ending left knee surgery on April 7. Rozier is a major reason the Celtics beat Milwaukee in an Eastern Conference quarterfinal. The third-year veteran is averaging 17.6 points, 6.7 assists and 1.1 steals in the playoffs.

"He's dynamic," Brett Brown said. "The stuff that they are missing from Kyrie and somebody that can create off a live ball by himself and doesn't need a pick-and-roll, they do get it with him.

"He really can get into a defense. He's athletic. He's tough. I feel like his ability to create his own stuff is healthy given the rest of their players' skill packages."

Rozier had 26 points and nine assists in the Game 7 victory over the Bucks.

While he provided an offensive spark, the Celtics defense has been solid. So much so that Sixers swingman JJ Redick calls Boston the best defensive team in the NBA.

"They have great individual defenders," Redick said. "They have great team concepts."

The Boston defenders will do their best to force the Sixers into struggling offensively. Their physicality also makes things rough for opponents.  So it will be important for Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli to have solid games for the Sixers off the bench. Robert Covington also needs to make shots.

Meanwhile, the Sixers will have to contain Rozier and stop him from penetrating in the lane.

How to watch and follow the game

  1. TV and streaming: TNT

  2. Radio: 97.5 FM

  3. Twitter: @PompeyOnSixers; @NBASarah

Probable starting lineups

Celtics

Coach: Brad Stevens (playoff record: 15-20)

Injury report: Jaylen Brown, right hamstring strain, doubtful.

Sixers 

Coach: Brett Brown (playoff record: 4-1)

Injury report: None

» READ MORE: Upcoming games

Thursday: Game 2, 8:30 p.m. at TD Garden

Saturday: Game 3, 5 p.m., at Wells Fargo Center

May 7: Game 4, 8: 6 p.m. at Wells Fargo Center

May 9: *Game 5, TBD, at TD Garden

May 11: Game 6,  TBD, at Wells Fargo Center

May 13: *Game 7, TBD, at TD Garden

* – if necessary